My First Rental: Now What?
Hi,
I am set to close on my first rental at the end of February. Although I don't have possession of the unit, I would like to start prospecting for tenants. Am I allowed to do this? And if so, how is the best way to go about doing this?
I have read some of the other post and one theme I seem to find common is that one should have a phone number with a recorded message giving information about the property. Where or how can I set up such a voicemail system? I can't use my current phone because that is where I receive my personal calls, and I don't want to go to the expense of installing a new line that will only be used for pre-recoreded messages. I am sure that there must be a middle road somehwere.
Thanks for all your help.
JS. 
Grab the phonebook and rent a voicemail box. $4-8 a month?
You might think about a work number. When you do get that voice-mail box make the appontments for after your closing of course. Overlapping appointments will generate some visible traffic which will increase interest in your unit and don't be afraid of turning people away. A good tenant is worth a year's worth of bad tenant hassle.
Get the book "landlording" and start reading it (Leigh Robinson)
Talk to the owner and get permission to show the property. If he has any concerns you can either tell the tenants that they can move in the day after you close or he can approve the applicants personally in case the deal falls through. Worst case scenario is that you're filling his apartments for free and wasting your time if the deal doesn't close.